Melbourne Hub: Surf to victory? Lions are all on board again as they prepare to make waves in ...

PUBLISHED: 05:28 EST, 2 July 2013 | UPDATED: 06:18 EST, 2 July 2013

After their last-gasp disappointment in Melbourne on Saturday, the Lions squad have returned to the waves for some relaxation ahead of the biggest test of their lives in Sydney.

The Lions' trip to the beach the morning after their second test defeat to Australia was criticised by Sir Clive Woodward, who said the players should have received a full day of recovery rather than taking a two-and-a-half-hour flight to the Sunshine Coast.

Ride the waves: Sean Maitland on the Sunshine Coast ahead of the third Test

Diving under: Leigh Halfpenny takes a different approach in Noosa

Warren Gatland's squad will fly to Sydney on Thursday afternoon Australian time, and are obviously in the mood for maximum enjoyment before the decider, with the squad in the water again on Monday enjoying an afternoon on the jetskis.

'It was a big mistake to jump on a two-and-a-half hour flight to the Sunshine Coast on the morning after a Test match,' Woodward wrote in Sportsmail.

Competitive nature: Ben Youngs and Billy Twelvetrees battle it out on the waves

Up and ready: Maitland and Halfpenny make their way out of the sea looking fully refreshed

'The Lions needed a lie-in and a full day in the team hotel with the world-class recovery facilities that were on their doorstep in Melbourne. Players are hardly capable of walking up stairs properly on the morning after a game, so to sit on a coach, then in cramped economy seats, then back on a coach would only worsen the stiffness and swelling.

'To have two flights this week — with all the disruption and physical stress that come with it — is a massive and unnecessary distraction.'

They'll be planning to make waves of a different kind on Saturday, and will hope the time in the water will sooth the injuries of a few key players with the series locked at 1-1.

Surf's up: Halfpenny will want to wash Saturday's events out of his memory

Steady now: Billy Twelvetrees rides the wave in Noosa

Pushed away: Maitland is forced off his surfboard

Lions are hopeful Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Alex Corbisiero will be passed fit for the clash at ANZ Stadium.

Wales duo Roberts and Phillips have hamstring and knee injuries respectively while England prop Corbisiero is troubled by a calf problem with a decision on their availability expected when the team is announced on Wednesday.